While we will likely never know how exactly the last conversation between Kenny Pickett and Mike Tomlin went down, we have a good idea.
One side framed it as Pickett not wanting to compete, while the other said it was a betrayal.
But both admitted the decision to move on was Pickett’s with Coach Tomlin confirming as much:
Why Pickett Was Shipped Out
Mike Tomlin on what kind of teammate Kenny Pickett was during his time in Pittsburgh:
“Nothing but professional effort. He’s a heck of a dude. They are getting a really good guy” #Eagles pic.twitter.com/8YzxDOjyLv
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 25, 2024
“He felt like a change of scenery would be a good thing,” Coach Tomlin told the media at the league owners’ meetings. “Obviously, when we felt the trajectory of of the business with Chicago moving in the right direction, those dominoes started falling. I won’t get into specifics about our conversations, but I am appreciative of his efforts during his time in Pittsburgh and I wish him nothing but the absolute best in Philadelphia.”
Now it makes sense that Tomlin didn’t say anything regarding the final conversation between he and Pickett, as Kenny didn’t disclose any information during his introductory presser in Philly either.
But it goes without saying that both of them are high-level professionals and will let the drama coe out via the media.
And while I largely expect things to be cordial when the Eagles and Steelers play in 2024, the interaction between Pickett and his former teammates and coaching staff will be telling.
